BBC orders new shows plus more A Word and Peaky Blinders

News

Jon Creamer

26 May 2016

BBC Drama has commissioned three new shows for BBC One and BBC Two along with new orders for BBC One series The A Word and BBC Two’s Peaky Blinders.

BBC One will bring to life the David Nicholls’ novel Us with a multi-part adaptation by Nick Payne. Produced by Drama Republic, Us tells the story of Douglas and Connie Peterson, a couple whose marriage is on the rocks. When they go on a family grand tour of European cities, Douglas sees it as a last bid to win back the love of his wife, and repair his troubled relationship with his son.

BBC Two will bring to screen Sathnam Sanghera’s memoir of love, secrets and lies - The Boy with the Topknot, produced by Parti Productions and Kudos. Set in Wolverhampton, the series will tell the story of a second-generation Indian growing up in Britain and how he juggles his family, love life and career.

BBC One has also confirmed a second series of Peter Bowker’s The A Word, the story of the Hughes family which has Joe, a boy with autism, at its heart, while BBC Two has ordered a further two series of Steven Knight’s 1920s Birmingham based series Peaky Blinders.

Charlotte Moore, Acting Director of Television, says: “Following BBC Drama's tremendous start to the year, it is clear audiences are looking for even greater ambition and high quality. So I want to continue to expand our range even further and reaffirm my commitment to commission the very best drama in the UK. Today I'm announcing a mix of contemporary, provocative pieces and surprising stories with three new titles and two returning series.

All dramas have been commissioned by Lucy Richer, Acting Controller of BBC Drama Commissioning, and Charlotte Moore, Acting Director of Television, apart from Babs which was commissioned by Charlotte and Polly Hill, Former Acting Controller of Drama.